Self-schemas and the theory of planned behaviour

This paper argues that empirical, conceptual, and statistical difficulties characterise previous demonstrations that self-schemas moderate the relatio nship between intentions and behaviour. A longitudinal study (n = 163) was designed to overcome limitations of previous research. Theory of planned be haviour variables, past behaviour, and self-schemas were assessed in relati on to exercise. Behaviour was followed up two weeks later. Findings showed that self-schemas moderated the intention-behaviour relation such that sche matics weve more likely to enact their intentions to exercise compared to u nschematics. Evidence suggested that the importance dimension of self-schem a measures was responsible for the moderator effect. Self-schemas were also associated with improved prediction of behavioural intentions after contro lling for the other predictors. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.